Our study highlights the significant challenges posed by antibiotic resistant pathogens in PJIs after TKA. Patients in the resistant group had more and more complex surgeries than those with antibiotic sensitive infections, 3.91 vs 2.34 on average. We believe that the high average of 3.91 surgeries in the resistant group, indicating a higher failure rate, may be attributed to the resistance of the causative microorganisms to the antibiotics loaded in the cement. Presence of polymicrobial infections and gram-negative bacteria increased the number of surgeries. Despite similar demographics and comorbidities between the two groups, the higher revision rates and longer treatment duration for resistant infections shows the need for pathogen specific antibiotic in ALBC. These results highlight the need to optimize treatment protocols to get better infection resolution and reduce the economic burden of resistant PJIs.
Our findings are consistent with previous research indicating the complexities of managing PJIs, particularly those caused by resistant organisms [7,11]. Studies have shown that antibiotic-loaded bone cement is effective in reducing infection rates in both primary and revision arthroplasty [1,13]. However, the appropriate selection and concentration of antibiotics are crucial for effective treatment [11,14]. The increased surgical burden associated with resistant infections observed in our study aligns with reports highlighting the challenges and higher complication rates in such cases [11,13]. The study's finding that antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, particularly those resistant to gentamicin and teicoplanin, result in a higher number of revision surgeries is consistent with previous literature. Perry et al. [15] reported that patients referred with an antibiotic knee spacer for PJI have a high rate of positive cultures at the time of re-debridement, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common organism identified. This aligns with our observation of gentamicin resistance in all cases within the resistant group and the higher number of surgeries required. The presence of polymicrobial infections was significantly higher in the resistant group, and although this did not directly correlate with increased surgical interventions, it did contribute to the complexity of treatment. Shahpari et. al. [16] noted the challenges of using antibiotic-impregnated cement spacers in treating infected joint replacements, emphasizing the need for high local antibiotic concentrations to combat such infections effectively. Thus, the systemic antibiotic adverse effects may also be reduced. Furthermore, the study's observation that the presence of gram-negative organisms significantly increases the number of required revisions corroborates the findings of Bos et al. [17], who highlighted the impact of pathogen type on the success of revision surgeries using antibiotic-loaded bone cement. The increased number of revisions for gram-negative infections underscores the necessity for targeted antibiotic strategies in these cases.
The study underscores the importance of antibiotic selection based on specific pathogen culture and sensitivity results to enhance the efficacy of local antibiotic delivery. Anagnostakos et. al. [18] discussed the need for optimal antibiotic impregnation in bone cement to achieve high local antibiotic concentrations and improve infection control rates. The effectiveness of dual antibiotic-loaded bone cement in our study aligns with the findings of Sanz-Ruiz et al. [19], who reported that dual antibiotic-loaded bone cement is more effective and cost-efficient in preventing PJI compared to single antibiotic-loaded bone cement. Our findings are consistent with those findings that the optimal dual antibiotic impregnation may show better results. Martos et al. [20] reviewed the principles and limitations of local antibiotic delivery using ALBC, emphasizing that high local antimicrobial concentrations are needed to overcome the recalcitrance of PJIs. Those findings support the necessity for effective antibiotic delivery systems to achieve high local concentrations, reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance. This aligns with our study's emphasis on tailoring antibiotic-loaded cements based on specific pathogen sensitivity to improve outcomes. Gandhi et. al. [21] highlighted the controversy surrounding the use of ALBC in primary and revision joint arthroplasty. While the prophylactic use in primary TKA remains debated, its routine use in revision procedures, especially in septic revisions, is well-supported. This supports our approach of using dual antibiotic-loaded cement in rTKA for managing PJIs. The study by Kim et al. [22] highlights the effectiveness of antifungal-impregnated cement spacers in treating chronic fungal PJIs after TKA, with no recurrent infections over a mean follow-up of 66 months. This supports our findings on the necessity of pathogen-specific antimicrobial strategies to manage complex PJIs, reduce revision surgeries, and enhance patient outcomes through targeted antibiotic-loaded bone cement. Another important aspect of Kim’s study [22] is Amphotericin B was heat stable and available in powder form, making it preferable to other antifungal agents. Sometimes, very rare organisms can cause PJIs. For instance, a case report documented an infection caused by SDSD in a farmer identified using VITEK MS [3]. In such rare instances, techniques like VITEK MS become especially important to accurately diagnose the microorganism, emphasizing the need for pathogen-specific antibiotic loading and tailored treatment approaches to effectively manage these uncommon infections [23,24].
The economic analysis revealed similar total costs between the resistant and sensitive groups, with an average cost of $6279.74 for the entire cohort. This finding suggests that while antibiotic resistance increases the number of surgical interventions, the overall treatment costs remain comparable. This is in line with the study by Hoskins et al. [25], which found no significant cost difference between ALBC and plain bone cement in preventing infections. Despite the supporting literature for the use of ALBC in PJI, Hao-Qian Li et. al. conducted a meta-analysis on the prophylactic use of ALBC in primary TKA, finding no significant difference in peri-prosthetic infection rates compared to plain cement. However, the analysis noted that ALBC was associated with longer hospital stays and increased risks of acute renal failure and readmission [26]. These findings highlight the need for careful consideration of ALBC's benefits and potential risks, particularly in the context of prophylaxis versus treatment. Concluding from our study that loading merely the pathogen’s susceptible antibiotic to the cement with controlled and appropriate dosage may prevent such negative effects.
This study has several limitations, including its retrospective nature and potential selection bias. The sample size, while adequate according to the power analysis, may not fully represent the broader patient population undergoing TKA revisions. Additionally, despite minimizing the differences in patients, variations in surgical techniques and post-operative care could influence the outcomes. Future research should focus on prospective, randomized controlled trials to validate these findings and explore the long-term benefits of specific antibiotic regimens in ALBC.